Body-brace.



Patented sept. la, |902. P. B. SHELDUN.

BODY BRACE'.

(Application led Aug. 28, 1901.)

(No Medel.)

/A/VENToH W/TNESSES Patented Sept I6, |902. P. B. SHELDDN.

BODY BRACE.

(Application le'd Aug. 28, 1901.)

2 Sheets-Sheet '2,

(No Model.)

W/ TNE SSE S A TTOHNE ys 4 ma uonms vEriks auA FHcroLlTHo., wAsHlNomN,n. c.

lUNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

PHILO B. SHELDON, OF `ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE IHILO BURTMANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK.

'BODY-BRAC SPEGIFIGATI'ON forming part of'Lerbers Patent No. rroepen,dated september 1e, 190e.

Application tiled August 28, 1901. Serial No. 731585. (No modela) `dersand for otherwise assisting in the support of the trunk of a deformed orill-developed person. f

This specification is a specific description of one form of theinvention, while the claims define the actual scope thereof.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forminga part ofthis specitication, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts in both views.

Figure l is a front view of the invention,

and Fig. 2 is a plan View thereof.

'a represents two bars which are laced together by the cords ct andwhich are adapted to extend parallel with each other upward along thespine of a person. At their lower portions these bars a are providedwith arms b, curved to fit snugly around the hips of a person, so as tosupport the bars a on the hips. At their upper ends the bars a arecurved downwardly, forwardly, and upwardly, as indicated at c, so as topass behind the shoulder-blades and under the armpits of the wearer. Theparts being properly secured in place, the weight of the shoulders willbe borne by the parts c and a and will be transmitted by these elementsto lthe arms l) and finally to the hips of the person. AIt is by thesemeans that the Weight of the trunk is placed in a large measureon thehips and the weight on the spine is materially reduced.

d represents two straps which are fastened to the upper. ends of thebars a and are arranged topass over the shoulders and forward downwardlythrough rings c', carried at the ends of the arms c, and thence throughrings b, carried at the ends of the arms b, after which the straps d arebrought together and joined by a knot or by a fastening device, ifdesired. These straps serve to sustain the appliance in proper positionon the body of the wearer.

e represents a belt which is attached tothe bars a and passes around thetrunk of the wearer just above the waist.

findicates a stomach-pad,which is held in place by straps g. Thesestraps are branched, as indicated at g', one ramication passing upwardand joined to the bars a at .approximately the small of the back and theother passing downward and being joined to the lower extremity of thebars. Now it will be seen that by this arrangement the entire trunk ofthe person wearing the appliance is firmly braced and the weightsustained principally ou the hips. The appliance is therefore of greatvalue to persons having a deformed or improperly-developed spine.

Various changes in the form, proportions, and minor details of myinvention may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scopeof my invention. Hence I consider myself entitled to all such variationsas may lie-within the scope of my claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- 1. A body-brace, comprising a main or body portionadapted to extend along the spine of the wearer, arms attached to thelower part of the said body portion in position to rest on the hips ofthe wearer, arms extending out from the upper part of the body portionand curved forward to bear uuder the armpits of the wearer, whereby tosustain the trunk on the hips, and straps attached to the upper part ofthe body and passed forwardly over the'shoulders of the person, thestraps having connection with the ends of the said arms and being joinedtogether at the lower part of the appliance.

2. A body-brace having two rigid bars extending vertically inparallelism and adapted to be located at the back of the person, lacingextended between the bars to connect them together, rigid arms attachedrespectively to the upper ends of the bars and extending outward to lieunder the armpits of name to this speeiiioation in the presence of theperson, additional rigid arms attached retWo subscribing Witnesses.spectively to the lower portions of the rigid bars and extending outwardand forward to PHIL() B' SHELDON 5 lie on the hips of the person andmeans for Witnesses:

fastening the appliance in place. J. M. SHERWIN, In testimony whereof Ihave signed my; L. H. COWSE.

